FOR POLICY COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY, 25TH DRAFT OF COVERING LETTER TO THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMITTEE

A Committee of this Ministry concerned with Home Morale has presented to me an interim report, one section of which I should like the Civil Defence Committee to consider, since Paragraph 2 raises an important problem which can only he solved by the co-operation of the Government Departments represented on this Committee. As is stated there, the chief means of maintaining good morale is to give every man and woman the feeling that they are being used to the full in the national effort. Exhortation and encouragement are not enough. What is needed is a definite statement from the Government that not only will everyone be given a chance of helping, but that they will be required to help. It would be dangerous to make a call for help unless we can be sure that there is adequate organisation to deal with those who answer the call. A distressingly large number of cases have been brought to my notice in which people who have volunteered in response to some appeal have had their services rejected, thus creating a sense of frustration which is most damaging to morale.

I recognise that the whole question of a balanced and economical use of labour is involved, but, in the interests of morale, I urge that in planning machinery for the distribution of labour the Government Departments concerned think not only of immediate necessities but also of training for future contingencies. Should the Government decide to follow this course I would emphasise the point made in the Report that people are anxious to receive orders and could be drafted into their new occupations on a compulsory principle. A start for purposes of experiment might be made by making A.R.P. training (as distinct from service) compulsory.